San Francsico: District 6

San Francisco's Central North District includes the neighborhoods of Alamo Square, Anza Vista, Hayes Valley, Lower Pacific Heights, North Panhandle and Western Addition....

San Francisco's Central North District includes the neighborhoods of Alamo Square, Anza Vista, Hayes Valley, Lower Pacific Heights, North Panhandle and Western Addition.

Alamo Square

Alamo Square is a residential neighborhood that lies to the north of Hayes Valley and south of Pacific Heights. Here, the majority of the Victorian houses that were built in the early 1920s were not transformed to duplex apartments, unlike other Victorians in nearby neighborhoods. Alamo Square Park, where Hayes and Steiner Streets meet, is one of San Francisco’s main tourist destinations. The “Painted Ladies” facing Alamo Square Park are arguably the most iconic row of Victorians in the nation, thanks in part for their appearance on the opening credits for “Full House,” a popular television show in the late 80s and early 90s. Other notable and historic homes around Alamo Square include the William Westerfeld House, the Archbishop’s Mansion, the Chateau Tivoli, and the Phelps House.

Hayes Valley

Located between Alamo Square and Civic Center, Hayes Valley was developed in the 1850’s after expansion began west of Van Ness Avenue. Michael Hayes named the primary streets in this neighborhood after many influential families of the era, and named the streets with smaller homes after flowers and trees. Hayes Valley was one of the few neighborhoods that were spared from devastation after the 1906 earthquake. After damage from the 1989 earthquake, the central freeway section of Highway 101 was closed and demolished, resulting in a revitalization of this part of town. Hayes Street soon became a popular destination for upscale dining and shopping. Octavia Boulevard was redesigned in the early 2000s adding more trees, open space, public art, and new mid-rise apartment buildings.